AP US Government & Politics Unit 1 Review Sheet

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the AP US Government and Politics Unit 1 lecture notes.

Constitution

The fundamental law of the United States, outlining the structure of the federal government, its powers, and the rights of citizens.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority (federal government) and constituent political units (states or provinces).

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, which are reserved to the states or the people.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as the power to tax and establish courts.

Separation of Powers

The division of governmental authority into distinct branches, each with its own powers and responsibilities.

Checks and Balances

Mechanisms within the government that allow each branch to limit the powers of the other branches, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of laws and government actions.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, who argued against the creation of a strong central government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantee individual rights and liberties.

Amendment

A formal change or addition to the Constitution.

First Amendment

An amendment to the Constitution that guarantees freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Second Amendment

An amendment to the Constitution that protects the right to keep and bear arms.

Enumerated Rights

Rights explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but reasonably inferred from its language.

Inherent Powers

Powers that belong to the federal government by virtue of its existence as a sovereign body.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of implied powers and upheld the constitutionality of the Bank of the United States.

Dual Federalism

A model of federalism in which the powers of the federal and state governments are strictly delineated, with each operating independently within its own sphere.

Cooperative Federalism

A model of federalism in which the federal and state governments work together to address common problems, often blurring the lines between their respective powers.

New Federalism

A model of federalism that advocates for the devolution of power from the federal government to the states, emphasizing state autonomy and local control.

Block Grants

Federal grants-in-aid given to states for general purposes, allowing states flexibility in how the funds are spent.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants-in-aid given to states for specific purposes, often with detailed regulations and requirements.

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state and local governments as a condition for receiving federal funds.

Devolution

The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to state and local governments.

Unitary System

A system of government in which power is concentrated at the national level, with subnational entities having only those powers granted by the central government.

Confederal System

A system of government in which power is decentralized, with subnational entities retaining sovereignty and delegating limited powers to a central government.

Parliamentary System

A system of government in which the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature.

Presidential System

A system of government in which the executive branch is separate from the legislative branch and is headed by a president who is elected by the people and serves a fixed term.

Judicial Activism

The judicial philosophy that courts should interpret the Constitution broadly and actively intervene in political and social issues.

Judicial Restraint

The judicial philosophy that courts should defer to the elected branches of government and avoid making policy decisions.

Original Intent

The judicial doctrine that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the original meaning and intent of its framers.

Living Constitution

The judicial doctrine that the Constitution should be interpreted in light of evolving societal values and changing circumstances.

Stare Decisis

The legal principle of following established precedent in judicial decisions.

Judicial Independence

The principle that judges should be free from external influences and political pressures when making legal decisions.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in Article VI of the Constitution that establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the supreme law of the land, superseding conflicting state laws.

Amendment Process

The process outlined in Article V of the Constitution for proposing and ratifying amendments to the Constitution.

Congress

The legislative branch of the federal government, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.